[Leica] Covington Kentucky Elementary School Photo Project

[Stephen Gandy <leicanikon@earthlink.net>]

Greetings,

Below you will find the email I received from Karen Furnish, an elementary school
teacher in Covington,  Kentucky.  I called the school this morning and talked
with  her.   A few LUGers people have emailed me about sending them donations.  I
think it best if you send things directly to the school, and that you talk to
Karen (email or phone) to make sure the kids can make use of your excess photo
equip.

At the moment they have two digital cameras, Sony Mavicas, which store images on
floppy disks. One issue digitally is MAC compatibility.  While they don't have a
wet darkroom at the moment, they do have plans to make one in the basement.
Although Karen requested Polaroid cameras in her email, I pointed out to her that
Polaroid film is much more expensive than digital or regular film,  so that
financially Polaroid cameras would probably not be a good choice.

It turns out their 312 students have 20 days of school left this year, so
donations will have the biggest effect next school year.  The school will be open
throughout the summer, and Karen will be at the school much of the summer, so
delivery will not be a problem.

The school's phone number is (859) 292-5817,  Karen's home phone is 859-802-2538,
or email to Esce2143@cs.com

Before anyone  asks, I had no prior contact with Karen or the Thomas Edison
Elementary School before her email last week.  I simply believe that helping
economically disadvantaged kids get introduced to photography is a worthwhile
project.

Thanks to all who have shown interest,

Stephen Gandy


Esce2143@cs.com wrote:

> Hello. I am a grade 1/2/3 Teacher at Thomas Edison Elementary, located in
> Covington, KY. My school is located in an inner-city poverty stricken area.
> The majority of our kids live in "project" or low income housing and all of
> our students (100%) are on the "free lunch plan" because of their family's
> low income. My school also provides a free breakfast to every student, as
> most would begin their day without having any. We, as a staff and school, are
> also impoverished. Two weeks after the beginning of the school last August, a
> budget "freeze" was imposed on the entire District. Since that time, myself
> and the other teachers in my school have had to purchase all of our classroom
> materials on our own. This even includes the paper, pencils and crayons that
> the kids use on a daily basis.
>
> Several weeks ago, I received a copy of a CD-Rom entitled, "A Teacher's Guide
> to Visual Learning" through the Polaroid Education Program. It also came with
> a wonderful booklet titled "Instant Starlight-Activities for Building S
> elf-Esteem...".   Since the children I teach are ages 6 & 7 (and 1 8 year
> old), I believe the activities and projects described in this booklet would
> be GREAT for my kids, as well as, others in the school. It encourages them to
> take pictures on their own, to recognize other students, to express
> themselves through pictures, enhance their writing skills and much more!! And
> now, last week, 2 of our classrooms have asked about starting a "Photography
> Club", which could lead to a school newsletter. Think of it, first and second
> graders writing articles and taking pictures for a school newsletter. Being
> among the youngest in the school, I would bet this would make them feel good
> by knowing that THEY, have some stature among the older students.  I'm also
> sure that this would surely put a "boost in their step" and a memory they
> would be proud of sharing as they went through the higher grades.
>
> After getting excited about all of this, I contacted the Polaroid Corporation
> to inquire about their donation program for schools. I spoke with (emailed)
> the Director of Corporate Communications, and was informed that the
> corporation "is in the middle of a bankruptcy proceeding and consequently has
> suspended its program of camera and film donations". He then suggested I
> contact sites such as yours for possible donations of cameras and film.
>
> So I ask. Can YOU help us?? We would optimistically like to get 10 Polaroid
> cameras and film and at least 4 digital cameras, that would be compatible
> with a MacIntosh sytem (that's our main system). I would like you to know
> that I would contact the local retailers in the area for this project, but
> since our kids are in so dire need of help, they already help the school out
> by providing clothing, shoes, hygeine materials, snacks, etc.   We don't
> expect for you to fulfill all of our requests, but can you help with part of
> it?  We will GREATLY appreciate ANY assistance you could give us. Your
> donation will be well used, well taken care of, and HIGHLY respected.
>
> I can best be reached by email, but I will list the contact info below for
> you to verify, should you need to. Thank you.
> Warmly,
> Karen Furnish, Teacher
> Thomas Edison Elementary
> 1516 Scott Street
> Covington, KY 41011
> (859) 292-5817
> Karen Lyon, Principal


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